Halt! We have a Cheating Problem

We have an ongoing challenge with one of our homeschool kids that involves CHEATING.

It ebbs and flows, but it happened frequently enough that we purchased a safe to hide the answer keys and books in.

WHY WOULD A HOMESCHOOLED CHILD CHEAT?

I don't know why other homeschooled children cheat, but here are the reasons my kids stated they attempted or succeeded in cheating.

1) They wanted a good grade (old traditional school philosophy)
2) They didn't feel like actually figuring out the work
3) It was easy because the answers were easily spotted
4) They did it to finish their work fast
5) They didn't realize it wasn't acceptable
6) They don't want to ask for help

WHAT WE TELL OUR KIDS ABOUT CHEATING in HOMESCHOOL

1) It's not about getting the answers RIGHT it's about LEARNING
2) You are only CHEATING YOURSELF because you are NOT ALLOWING US TO HELP YOU
3) Cheating will falter our trust in your honesty about your needs. If we don't know you need help, we can't help.
4) There are consequences for our actions, when you cheat at home, you will pay a consequence
5) This is an environment that is created for your own success and we will work through how to teach you, expose you and gain you the time and practice you need to succeed.

FORGIVING YOUR CHEATING CHILD

Once punishment is doled out we:

1) Tell them the slate is clean
2) Evaluate the method of instruction and figure out if we have to start from square one of the specified curriculum or topic (We've had a few redos)
3) Lock up the materials

LOOKING FORWARD

Kids eventually out grow this issue. It boils down to a behavioral issue in many cases. Consistency, parental emotional control in this situation and consequences help to move them in the direction of honesty and transparency to their needs, frustrations, or lack of enthusiasm for a subject that causes cheating.